Era #7, Part 6: The Douglock Chronicles

Grade: C

With "The Douglock Chronicles" splashed across the top of the page, I knew I needed to get this three part Excalibur story. I was deeply effected by Doug's death in New Mutants #60 (back in Era #4, Part 11: Fall of the Mutants (New Mutants)), so seeing him back was very exciting. Unfortunately, it was in the pages of a title I found too odd to follow. My opinion hasn't changed after reading this.

There is a second memorable result of this three part tale. Professor X returns to Muir Island to help Moria with her Legacy Virus research. She is stressed and growing increasingly despondent as more mutants fall to the fatal disease. He tries to lend both a hand in her investigation and provide support, but she also reveals a deeper problem. She is the first human to be infected.

Excalibur #78 - "Part One: Fire in the Wild" Britanic leads Meggan and Shadowcat to a forest. He doesn't know why, but they wait for something to happen. In the forest, Zero summons a techno-organic version of the deceased New Mutant Doug Ramsey. Despite being a part of the collective intelligence called the Phalanx, "Douglock" seems to retain own consciousness. The two puzzle over the nature of "life" when they are are attacked by Styfe's droids attempting to destroy Zero. Excalibur arrive to protect a family caught in the crossfire. Professor Xavior arrives on Muir Island to help Moira continue her research on the Legacy Virus.

Excalibur #79 - "Part Two: Twisted Logic" Zero manages to save Douglock, Britanic, Meggan, Shadowcat, and a camping family by teleporting them to a safe destination -- an old Stryfe base filled with inert droids. Excalibur attempts to come to grips with the return of Douglock, and Zero reveals that the secrets of the Legacy Virus is inaccessibly buried within his memory. Stryfe's droids awaken.

Excalibur #80 - "Part Three: Out of Time" Excalibur, Douglock, and Zero battle their way through Stryfe's droids to save themselves and an innocent family caught in the crossfire. Zero learns that with his independent thought from his former master comes the knowledge that he may have the secret to the Legacy Virus. Douglock attempts to help Zero retrieve the information, but the data is buried deep and protected with self-destruct mechanisms.